Letters to the Editor 06-18-1998
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Teen Drunk Driving - Swope Accident - Alienated - Smoking Ordinance
Teen Drunk Driving
Editor, Times-Union:As a teenager I am concerned for the people on the road. At the age of 14 I realize others make mistakes while driving. But since when is drinking and driving a mistake? For some it is a death sentence for themselves or for others. It should not be that way, people should feel safe driving. People of today's society are not teaching their children the importance of the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol. As a teenager I realize there is a lot of peer pressure. I also realize you can say "no." I do not want to be killed by drugs or alcohol one way or another. That is why I am not afraid to admit that I have never tried anything.
Just last Friday one of my friends was killed by a drunk driver. It was a truck full of teenagers. Just when she was getting her life together and doing the right things for herself it all was taken away by irresponsible teens that thought it would be fun to drink. Now three people are dead. Many people are affected by what these four people did. I hope they are reminded every day of the rest of their lives, knowing they killed and ruined lives. Now a child is without a mother and father, if she lives. What will it take to get the point through? How many will die or how many lives will be ruined by the carelessness of drunk drivers?
Kristan Moore
Mentone
Swope Accident
Editor, Times-Union:Recently there have been numerous letters written to the editor about Rick Swope. I would like to have the opportunity to share my feelings about how I feel about Rick and the unfortunate accident that occurred on May 9.
I have know Rick Swope and his entire family for over 20 years. As far as I am concerned, one could not ask for better people.
I have a great deal of respect for Rick. Rick is a hard-working, reliable, trustworthy individual. As well, he is a dedicated Christian.
Rick or any member of his family will do whatever they can to help anyone at any time. I speak from experience. The Swope family has always been there to see my family through difficult times.
I have not discussed the accident that took place back in May with Rick or anyone in the Swope family for that matter. However, I can assure you that not a day goes by that Rick does not think about that dreadful afternoon. I know that Rick would never intentionally do anything to cause harm to anyone. The Carr family is not the only family suffering from this.
I have had my drivers license for 16 years and I have been unaware that you can legally pass on the right side of the road. I have always been under the impression that the right side was meant for motorists turning right not for motorists going around other motorists to continue to go forward. Maybe someone should make us all more aware of Indiana's driving laws. I'm sure other people are confused about this as well.
Robin (Wolfe) McKibben
Syracuse
Alienated
Editor, Times-Union:I have stood up to a convicted child molester, and I am being persecuted for doing it.
I have stood up for the safety of the children, all children, and I am being criticized for doing it.
I have stood up for what was right, and I am being alienated for doing it.
I have stood up to a convicted child molester, one who has three offenses against him involving four different boys; a sex offender who has not taken responsibility for what he has done, is not rehabilitated and will offend again; and I am being crucified for doing it.
I have stood up to a child molester when nobody else could, and I am not sorry. It took great courage and a strong conviction, and I will never apologize for doing it.
I have stood up to a convicted child molester, and I got no support from those most directly affected.
I have stood up to a child molester for the sake of the children and have been told by the parents that it was none of my business.
Judy Koch
Larwill
Smoking Ordinance
Editor, Times-Union:After talking to many people on the proposed anti-smoking ordinance in Fort Wayne, I have concluded that there are at least two concepts that are unclear. One is the concept of private property versus public property. Business are private properties open to the public, not public property. The second concept is freedom of choice. Businesses open their doors to the public offering customers the choice to do business or not. No one is forced to enter any retail establishment. Anti-smoking ordinance proponents are petitioning the government to restrict, even further, private property rights of businesses.
If we are not fairly tolerant of other peoples' choices, however intolerable we think those choices are, then broad freedom cannot prevail. Some compare private property rights, individual freedom and government control to a bundle of sticks. Neither the citizens nor the government have all the sticks. Passing this ordinance will give another stick to the government. Fort Wayne will gain another layer of bureaucracy. We will all lose some of the essence of freedom.
I have submitted this letter to the Journal Gazette twice. I submit this letter to the Times-Union because Fort Wayne is not that far from Warsaw.
Chas Creekmore
Pierceton
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- Teen Drunk Driving - Swope Accident - Alienated - Smoking Ordinance
Teen Drunk Driving
Editor, Times-Union:As a teenager I am concerned for the people on the road. At the age of 14 I realize others make mistakes while driving. But since when is drinking and driving a mistake? For some it is a death sentence for themselves or for others. It should not be that way, people should feel safe driving. People of today's society are not teaching their children the importance of the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol. As a teenager I realize there is a lot of peer pressure. I also realize you can say "no." I do not want to be killed by drugs or alcohol one way or another. That is why I am not afraid to admit that I have never tried anything.
Just last Friday one of my friends was killed by a drunk driver. It was a truck full of teenagers. Just when she was getting her life together and doing the right things for herself it all was taken away by irresponsible teens that thought it would be fun to drink. Now three people are dead. Many people are affected by what these four people did. I hope they are reminded every day of the rest of their lives, knowing they killed and ruined lives. Now a child is without a mother and father, if she lives. What will it take to get the point through? How many will die or how many lives will be ruined by the carelessness of drunk drivers?
Kristan Moore
Mentone
Swope Accident
Editor, Times-Union:Recently there have been numerous letters written to the editor about Rick Swope. I would like to have the opportunity to share my feelings about how I feel about Rick and the unfortunate accident that occurred on May 9.
I have know Rick Swope and his entire family for over 20 years. As far as I am concerned, one could not ask for better people.
I have a great deal of respect for Rick. Rick is a hard-working, reliable, trustworthy individual. As well, he is a dedicated Christian.
Rick or any member of his family will do whatever they can to help anyone at any time. I speak from experience. The Swope family has always been there to see my family through difficult times.
I have not discussed the accident that took place back in May with Rick or anyone in the Swope family for that matter. However, I can assure you that not a day goes by that Rick does not think about that dreadful afternoon. I know that Rick would never intentionally do anything to cause harm to anyone. The Carr family is not the only family suffering from this.
I have had my drivers license for 16 years and I have been unaware that you can legally pass on the right side of the road. I have always been under the impression that the right side was meant for motorists turning right not for motorists going around other motorists to continue to go forward. Maybe someone should make us all more aware of Indiana's driving laws. I'm sure other people are confused about this as well.
Robin (Wolfe) McKibben
Syracuse
Alienated
Editor, Times-Union:I have stood up to a convicted child molester, and I am being persecuted for doing it.
I have stood up for the safety of the children, all children, and I am being criticized for doing it.
I have stood up for what was right, and I am being alienated for doing it.
I have stood up to a convicted child molester, one who has three offenses against him involving four different boys; a sex offender who has not taken responsibility for what he has done, is not rehabilitated and will offend again; and I am being crucified for doing it.
I have stood up to a child molester when nobody else could, and I am not sorry. It took great courage and a strong conviction, and I will never apologize for doing it.
I have stood up to a convicted child molester, and I got no support from those most directly affected.
I have stood up to a child molester for the sake of the children and have been told by the parents that it was none of my business.
Judy Koch
Larwill
Smoking Ordinance
Editor, Times-Union:After talking to many people on the proposed anti-smoking ordinance in Fort Wayne, I have concluded that there are at least two concepts that are unclear. One is the concept of private property versus public property. Business are private properties open to the public, not public property. The second concept is freedom of choice. Businesses open their doors to the public offering customers the choice to do business or not. No one is forced to enter any retail establishment. Anti-smoking ordinance proponents are petitioning the government to restrict, even further, private property rights of businesses.
If we are not fairly tolerant of other peoples' choices, however intolerable we think those choices are, then broad freedom cannot prevail. Some compare private property rights, individual freedom and government control to a bundle of sticks. Neither the citizens nor the government have all the sticks. Passing this ordinance will give another stick to the government. Fort Wayne will gain another layer of bureaucracy. We will all lose some of the essence of freedom.
I have submitted this letter to the Journal Gazette twice. I submit this letter to the Times-Union because Fort Wayne is not that far from Warsaw.
Chas Creekmore
Pierceton
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